Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

58. Oakley

58

OAKLEY

I can hardly contain my excitement as I watch the championship game unfold from the comfort of the premium suite. The luxurious surroundings only add to the thrill, with plush velvet seats and delicate crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the room. But it’s the expansive windows that truly steal the show, offering an unobstructed view of the arena below.

My eyes remain glued to the action on the ice, captivated by the swift maneuvers and intense focus of each player. As I lean closer to the window, I can’t help but think how lucky I am to be witnessing this moment live—and cheering for not just one, but three incredible athletes who’ve managed to steal my heart.

My heart hammers in my chest, a wild rhythm that seems to match the frantic pace of the game below. Clutching the edge of the windowsill, I try to steady my nerves as I watch Theo, Reid, and Gray move gracefully across the ice, their focus razor-sharp and their movements fluid.

“Come on, you guys can do this!” I shout, even though I know they can’t hear me from up here. My voice is just one among many, lost in the cacophony of cheers that fill the arena like the roar of an untamed beast.

Theo glides effortlessly around an opposing player, his piercing blue eyes locked on the goal. I can practically feel the intensity of his determination, and it sends shivers down my spine. “That’s it, Theo! Show them what you’re made of!”

“Go, Reid!” I cheer, watching as he weaves through the opposition with the grace and mischief that I’ve come to associate with him.

“Gray!” I call out as he takes possession of the puck, his warm brown eyes filled with unwavering resolve. He’s always been the rock I could lean on, and I know he’ll give everything he has for his team and his brothers.

“Pick up the pace, boys! You’ve got this!” I urge them, my words drowned out by the thunderous applause that surrounds me. In this moment, all that matters is their success, their victory—and I can’t help but feel like I’m a part of it too, cheering them on with every fiber of my being.

As the game continues, my excitement only grows, fueled by each breathtaking play and daring strategy executed by Theo, Reid, and Gray. I find myself on the edge of my seat, my body tense and my breath coming in short, anxious gasps.

“Come on, come on,” I whisper under my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from the mesmerizing display of skill and determination unfolding before me. The stakes have never felt higher, and I know that each of them is giving everything they have to secure their victory.

The puck zips across the ice, leaving a trail of frost in its wake as my heart races in time with the players’ swift maneuvers. Theo, Reid, and Gray are a blur of power and precision, their movements perfectly synchronized. It’s a breathtaking dance that only the best can master.

“Gray, watch your back!” I shout, biting my lip as an opposing player tries to sneak up on him. But, in the blink of an eye, Gray spins around and sidesteps the assailant, sending him tumbling to the ice. The crowd roars its approval, and I join in, clapping and cheering wildly.

“Nice one, Gray!” I yell, unable to contain my excitement. My emotions are a roller coaster, flipping between anxiety and elation as I watch them fight for every inch of the ice.

My gaze follows Reid as he weaves through defenders, his focus razor-sharp and his determination etched across his face. He’s a force to be reckoned with, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride watching him play. “You’re unstoppable, Reid! Keep it up!”

Theo’s skates carve into the ice, showering the air with tiny crystals as he barrels toward the goal, his eyes locked on the prize. “Come on, Theo, let’s go!” I chant, willing him to push harder, faster.

As the clock ticks down, I start to bounce on my toes, the tension rising within me like a coiled spring. Every second feels like an eternity, and each play could be the difference between victory and defeat. The arena is alive with energy, the anticipation palpable, and I’m swept up in the whirlwind of emotion.

“Let’s finish this, boys!” I cry, my fists clenched at my sides, my entire being focused on the game unfolding before me. It’s a moment of truth, a battle of wills that will test their strength and resolve.

The electrifying energy in the air intensifies as Reid skates at lightning speed, his eyes locked on the goal. My heart races in tandem with his every move. I can barely breathe—this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

“Reid!” I scream, gripping the edge of my seat. “You can do it!”

In a heartbeat, it happens. Reid’s blade slices through the ice, his body twisting gracefully as he slams the puck into the net. The sound of victory fills the arena, punctuated by the blaring of the final buzzer.

“YES!” I leap from my seat, fists pumping in the air. “We won! Reid, you did it!”

The arena erupts in deafening cheers and applause, the roar washing over me like a tidal wave. My heart swells with joy, and I can’t help but dance in place, overcome with emotion.

“Way to go, boys!” I shout, my voice barely audible above the cacophony of celebration. The team floods the ice, their faces alight with exhilaration as they embrace one another in a whirlwind of congratulations.

“Look at them,” I whisper to myself, tears of happiness brimming in my eyes. “They did it.” My gaze lingers on Reid, his arms flung wide as he basks in the glory of the win. His eyes meet mine through the glass, and I see the same fierce elation mirrored in their depths.

The arena begins to settle as the post-game interviews start, and I can’t tear my eyes away from the screen. Reid steps in front of the cameras, his face flushed with victory, sweat still beading on his brow. He looks even more confident than usual, if that’s possible.

“Reid Archer, congratulations on an incredible game-winning goal,” the interviewer says, her voice steady despite the excitement. “What was going through your mind during those final moments?”

Reid grins and runs a hand through his tousled hair. “You know, it all happened so fast,” he begins, pausing for a moment before continuing. “But there was one thing that kept me going, one driving force behind every move I made on the ice tonight.”

I lean forward in my seat, curiosity piqued. What could have motivated him so strongly?

“Her name is Oakley Price,” Reid announces boldly, and my heart skips a beat. “She’s my best friend, my rock, and the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Her support means the world to me, and everything I did out there tonight was for her.”

“Wow, that’s quite the declaration!” the interviewer exclaims, clearly taken aback by Reid’s passionate words. “Oakley certainly seems like an important person in your life.”

“You have no idea,” Reid replies, his green eyes filled with sincerity. “She’s been through so much lately, and she’s handled it all with such grace and strength. I wanted to show her that her love and friendship could inspire great things—not just for me but for everyone around her.”

My breath catches in my throat, and my cheeks burn with a mix of surprise and awe. My eyes brim with tears again, this time born of gratitude and affection. As the camera zooms in on Reid’s determined expression, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder to call him my friend.

“Did he just…?” I whisper, almost too stunned to form words.

“Looks like it,” comes a voice from behind me. I turn to see one of the other spectators in the suite, her eyes wide with excitement. “That was pretty incredible, huh?”

Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe it. A whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me—joy, fear, and exhilaration all swirling together in a dizzying rush. I feel as if I’m standing on the edge of a precipice, unsure whether to take flight or hold back out of self-preservation.

“Oakley!” someone shouts, snapping me out of my reverie. “Did you hear what he said?”

“Y-yeah,” I stammer, still struggling to process Reid’s declaration. “I can’t believe it.”

“Neither can we!” another person chimes in, grinning broadly. “You must be over the moon!”

“Definitely,” I reply, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart.

The arena erupts into cheers and applause, echoing like a thunderous wave through the vast space. Everywhere I look, people are clapping, hugging, and high-fiving each other, their faces alight with admiration and awe. The energy is contagious, and I can’t help but join in, clapping my hands and cheering until my throat is raw.

“Reid! Reid! Reid!” the crowd chants, their voices united in support of the man who has captured our hearts—both on and off the ice.

“Seems like everyone is as excited as you are,” the first spectator says, nudging me playfully. “Looks like you two have quite the fan club.”

“Guess so,” I admit with a nervous laugh.